World TB Day is an annual event organized tocommemorate the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB). The other objective of this event is to educate the public about the impact of TB around the world.Here is then presenting you with few facts that you need to know about the ‘World Tuberculosis Day’. 

The World Tuberculosis Day aims to increase efforts to end the global epidemic of TB, one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers which according to data by World Health Organisation (WHO) has claimed the lives of around 1,400,000 people in the year 2019. It is observed each year on March 24 to raise awareness amongst the public about the debilitating health, social as well as economic consequences of tuberculosis.The day aims to increase efforts to end the global epidemic of TB, one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers. According to the World Health Organization or WHO around 63 million lives have been saved since 2000 because of the global efforts against tuberculosis. "TB remains one of the world’s deadliest infectious killers. Each day, nearly 4000 lose their lives to TB and close to 28,000 people fall ill with this preventable and curable disease,” WHO added. 

‘March 24’ the day on which this event is organized every year was when Dr Robert Koch announced in 1881 that he had made the discovery of the bacterium which causes TB.For his research work on TB, Koch also received the Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine in 1905.

The theme of World Tuberculosis Day 2021 is ‘The Clock is Ticking’. The theme has been chosen as it “conveys the sense that the world is running out of time to act on the commitments to end TB made by global leaders,” WHO said in its statement. The organisation also added that as the world faces the challenges posed by the coronavirus disease (Covid-19) pandemic, strides made in control of TB are at great risk.

Tuberculosis (TB) is a contagious infection that is caused by a bacterium called Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Usually, TB bacteria attack the lungs, but they can attack any part of the body such as the kidney, spine, and brain. Previously, TB was a leading cause of death but nowadays, most cases are cured with antibiotics. You just have to take medications for at least 6 to 9 months.

Therefore, to raise public awareness about the devastating health, social and economic consequences of TB every year World Tuberculosis (TB) Day is observed.

The sign and symptoms include the following: 

a. A cough that lasts more than 3 weeks

b. Chest pain

c. Coughing up blood

d. Feeling tired all the time

e. Night sweats

f. Chills

g. Fever

h. Loss of appetite

i. Weight loss

It is because tuberculosis is a highly contagious and lethal infection that Every year World TB Day is celebrated by organizing various campaigns and health awareness programs with an aim to prevent and treat this lethal disease.